Labor Law
Sick Leave under the Jordanian Labor Law
This summary outlines the legal framework for sick leave under the Jordanian Labor Law, covering its definition, entitlement conditions, and procedural limits concerning medical documentation. It also explains practical rights such as leave duration, pay entitlement, protection from dismissal during leave, and the consequences of contract termination for incapacity.
Updated: 28 January 2025
Prepared and reviewed by: Ashraf Al-Khawaja
Definition of Sick Leave
Sick leave refers to a temporary condition in which a worker cannot perform assigned duties due to illness, intended to allow treatment and recovery. Jordanian law conditions the right to such leave on a report from an authorized medical authority and does not restrict entitlement to work-related illnesses, although occupational diseases carry separate legal consequences under other provisions.
Entitlement Conditions and Practical Procedure
To obtain sick leave the employee must substantiate the illness with a medical report approved by the employing institution or an authorized hospital report, and the condition must impair the ability to work. The worker should submit a request with supporting documents; forged certificates may justify summary dismissal under provisions on falsified documents. The entitlement lapses at year-end and sick leave days are not transferable between years.
Duration and Compensation for Sick Leave
The law provides a basic sick leave entitlement of 14 days with full pay per year, renewable for a similar period when the employee is hospitalized or upon a committee medical report approved by the institution. While on authorized sick leave the employee receives full wage compensation, and social security covers medical treatment costs as applicable.
Prohibition on Dismissal During Leave and Remedies
The law prohibits termination or notice of termination while the employee is on certified sick leave, although an exception releases the employer from this prohibition if the worker is employed by another employer during the protected period. Dismissal occurring during sick leave without legal basis is treated as arbitrary and may entitle the employee to compensation.
Subsequent Effects and Judicial Rulings
After sick leave expires, where a medical report establishes permanent incapacity to work, the employer may terminate the contract for incapacity under termination rules. If recovery has not occurred after the statutory period, some doctrinal views consider dismissal permissible; however, Jordan’s Court of Cassation has ruled in related cases that the worker’s protections during leave and entitlement to related pay are factors when assessing the legitimacy of termination.
Legal notice
Disclaimer: This summary is for general educational purposes only and does not substitute consulting the operative legal text or the original source linked on the article page. For verification of provisions, deadlines, amendments and legal advice, consult a licensed Jordanian lawyer.
Sources and references
Verify the official text and latest amendments before relying on this material professionally.